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Review
. 2023 Jun 24;13(13):2095.
doi: 10.3390/ani13132095.

Influence of Different Light Spectra on Melatonin Synthesis by the Pineal Gland and Influence on the Immune System in Chickens

Loredana Horodincu  1 , Carmen Solcan  1
Affiliations
Review

Influence of Different Light Spectra on Melatonin Synthesis by the Pineal Gland and Influence on the Immune System in Chickens

Loredana Horodincu et al. Animals (Basel). .

Abstract

It is well known that the pineal gland in birds influences behavioural and physiological functions, including those of the immune system. The purpose of this research is to examine the endocrine-immune correlations between melatonin and immune system activity. Through a description of the immune-pineal axis, we formulated the objective to determine and describe: the development of the pineal gland; how light influences secretory activity; and how melatonin influences the activity of primary and secondary lymphoid organs. The pineal gland has the ability to turn light information into an endocrine signal suitable for the immune system via the membrane receptors Mel1a, Mel1b, and Mel1c, as well as the nuclear receptors RORα, RORβ, and RORγ. We can state the following findings: green monochromatic light (560 nm) increased serum melatonin levels and promoted a stronger humoral and cellular immune response by proliferating B and T lymphocytes; the combination of green and blue monochromatic light (560-480 nm) ameliorated the inflammatory response and protected lymphoid organs from oxidative stress; and red monochromatic light (660 nm) maintained the inflammatory response and promoted the growth of pathogenic bacteria. Melatonin can be considered a potent antioxidant and immunomodulator and is a critical element in the coordination between external light stimulation and the body's internal response.

Keywords: GALT; antioxidant; bursa of Fabricius; circadian rhythms; immune function; melatonin; spleen; thymus.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Schematic representation of melatonin biosynthesis in the epiphysis. The process of melatonin synthesis starts from the amino acid tryptophan, which is taken up from the blood circulation and converted into 5-hydroxytryptophan and then into serotonin. During the night, AANAT (arylalkylamine N-acetyltransferase) activity increases and helps convert serotonin to N-acetylserotonin, which is further converted to melatonin by hydroxyindole-O-methyltransferase (HIOMT). Eventually, melatonin is distributed to other organs via the blood circulation. NE (norepinephrine), AC (adenylate cyclase), α-2 (receptor), cAMP (cyclic adenosine monophosphate), arylalkylamine N-acetyltransferase (AANAT), aromatic L-amino acid decarboxylase (AADC), hydroxide-O-methyltransferase (HIOMT), circadian locomotor output cycles kaput (CLOCK), brain and muscle aryl hydrocarbon receptor nuclear translocator-like protein 1 (BMAL1), PER 1 and 3 (period), CRY 1 and 2 (cryptochrome). The figure was created with www.BioRender.com (accessed on 7 June 2023).
Figure 2
Figure 2
Schematic representation of how melatonin modulates the activity of the bursa of Fabricius and thymus induced by the combination of green and blue monochromatic light in chickens. A combination of green and blue monochromatic light increased serum melatonin concentration. In the bursa of Fabricius, the interaction between B lymphocyte and Mel (melatonin) via the membrane receptors Mel1a and Mel1c resulted in the proliferation of B lymphocytes and an increased antibody titres; a reduced oxidative stress via the increased concentrations of the antioxidant enzymes CAT, SOD, T-AOC, and GSH-Px; an increased secretion of anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10; and the concurrent decrease in the secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines IFN-γ, TNF-α, and IL-6. In the thymus, via membrane (Mel1a) and nuclear (ROR-α) receptors, melatonin (Mel) led to T lymphocyte proliferation and secretion of the anti-inflammatory cytokines IL-10 and IL-2. The figure was created with www.BioRender.com (accessed on 8 June 2023).
Figure 3
Figure 3
Schematic representation of how melatonin modulates secondary lymphoid organ (GALT) activity induced by the combination of green and blue monochromatic light in chickens. With the help of blood circulation, melatonin (Mel) reaches the digestive tract, where it will induce strong local immunity via: (1) an increase in the height of intestinal villi, increase in the depth of intestinal crypts, and increase in the villi/crypt ratio; (2) the maintenance of an antioxidant state by increasing CAT, SOD, T-AOC, and GSH-Px levels; (3) an increase in the protective mucus layer; and (4) a proliferation of intraepithelial lymphocytes (iIEL) and Ig A levels. The figure was created with www.BioRender.com (accessed on 8 June 2023).
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